Pitt acts quickly

January 2, 2011 - John Mehno

Mike Haywood lasted less than three weeks as Pitt's head football coach. He has only himself to blame.

Pitt fired Haywood, hired on Dec. 16, on Jan. 1 after he was charged with felony domestic battery in Indiana. The mother of Haywood's son alleged he attacked her physically after they argued.

While Haywood's journey through the legal system is just beginning, his time at Pitt is over. The University had no choice. Haywood was hired in part because Pitt is looking for someone to establish order for athletes in the football program. How could Haywood stand before the football team and tell the players they would be held accountable for their behavior? You can't preach discipline and citizenship if you don't practice it. Haywood has only been charged, not convicted. That doesn't matter in this case. Pitt isn't trying his case, it's hiring an employee to represent the university.